Pedal for cycles.



F. D. WARREN.

PEDAL FOR CYCLES.

APPLICATloN FILED MAR.9,1916.

1,276,139. Patented Auw. 20, 1918.

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,UNITED STATES PATENT y onricn y FRANK D. WARREN, or COLORADO sPRrNes, CoLORADo, Assrerivoii rro THE CrCL sUPPLIEs COMPANY, or CcLoRAno SPRINGS, COLORADO,- A CORPORATION or COLORADO.

PEDAL POR cYcLns.

Patented Aug. 20,1918.

Application filed March 9, 1916. Serial No. 83,098.

To all fui/wm. it may concern.' l

` Be it known that I, FRANK D. WARREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colorado Springs, in the county of El Paso and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pedals for Cycles, of which the following is a speci lication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

rlhis invention relates to an improvement in foldable pedals, designed for use in connection with cycles, and especially with Heretofore, it has been proposed to provide a pedal structure with a pedal or foot partpivotally associated with the shank, so that the pedal could be :folded upwardly, and in United States Lets ters Patent No. 1,087,258, dated February i7, 1914., there is disclosed a foldable pedal with means for yieldingly maintaining the pedal in service position but permitting the saine to be folded up under impact.

pedal in the pedal structure disclosed in the said patent a counterweighted pedal frame is employed, the tendency of which is to maintain the tread surface of the pedal upwardly presented so that on the application of the foot to the pedal the pressure would be in a direction opposed to the foldable directionof the pedal. Owing to the fact that the pedal was always free to revolve on spindle or hub, manifestly `should the pedal, while spinning, come incontact with a stationary object it would not flex if. the

tread' surface were lowermos't. Again, were the machine to tip sidewise, there was a tendency for the end of the pedal to resist flexing, especially if it encountered a surface which could be penetrated, which would necessitate the kicking out or movement of the machine to enable the pedal to flex or bend.

The present invention possessesnumerous essential characteristio features designed rimarily to render a folding pedal useful for cycle purposes and which will overcome the possible objections suggested as to the structure disclosed in the yaforementioned patent. One of the primary and distinctive features of the present invention is that the is self-locking against rotation whereby the upperr surface of the saine is held mechanically and positively in its proper service position. A

- A. further ob)- ect is the provision of a foldable pedal spring positioned with means for 1 slightly offsetting the pedal from service position so that it will assume an oblique angle when not in use and thereby permit a very prompt and ready folding of the pedal when obstructions are encountered.

Another object of the invention is that of stabilizing'the structure by preventing spinning ofthe pedal, thus avoiding what may be termed the erratic behavior of a folding pedal, which after being struck, furiously spins, thereby developing the element of chance during spinning, of being bent or broken when coming in Contact with a stationary object.

A further obj ect of the invention is to so fashion the structure that a horizontal tread surfaceis nnrintained, while the front of the pedal is at an incline, thereby securing the advantages of a tilted pedal, as disclosed in the aforementioned patent, while mainrest or grip. It will be seen that by the construction hereinafter referred to the advantages of the tilting foot rest of the said patented structure is acquired by the present construction, while in addition thereto, the normal position of the outer end of the pedal is slightly flexed so that the pedal will respond. promptly to any undue shocks or impacts.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown a form of pedal structure embodyin g the invention, but it is to be understood that the principles` involved are susceptible of widely different application and can be embodiedV in various forms of structure without departing in the least from the general and underlying principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l isa side elevation of a foldable pedal showingvthe pedal frame in the position it assumes when power is applied to the upper surface thereof. In this figure there is shown in dotted lines the normal position, and the position the pedal Vwill assume when struck by an object.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

f taining the horizontal position of the foot Fig. 3 is a cross section through the hub part of the device showing the parts in position when in service;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view o fv a hook portion of the pedal, the view being taken from the inner side of one of the sides 10 of the pedal frame, and

Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of the friction yoke.

In the drawings, A represents the shank and B the spindle secured thereto. This spindle may be of cylindrical, concor ball type, as conditions require, but for convenience it is shown as the cylindrical type. Mounted on the spindle B,.is ahub C, having a reducedcylindrical part C terminating in a shoulder 4. The hub is secured on the spindle by aA suitable nut and washer, as at C3, and the spindle is provided with an outstanding circular flange 6 against which the inner end of the hub abuts, the flange eX- tending radially beyond the planeof the hub, as shown in Fig.,2. The hubC isprovided at its outerv end withlateral arms 13, the outer end parts of which are provided with inclined flanges 13a for purposes presently to be described.

Depending from the underside of the hub, at opposite sides of thel center, are perforated ears D vand D, the latter being eX- tended downward a distance beyond the horizontal plane of the endvof theformer as shown in Fig. 4. The aperturesin the ears D, D, arein alinementfsothat the same may receive, with exactness, a pivot bolt 12, upon which is sleeved a spring 11. One end of the spring is made fast to the bolt, while the opposite end engages the hub in a manner to normally holdy the pedal frame downward. 10 representsthe pedal frame, which is conveniently formed of a single piece of metal, bentto form a U- shaped frame, having an outstanding tread surface 10, on its opposite edges, and a curved front part 10b. The rear of the sides of the pedalframe 10 areeXtended downward, as at 10c, and suitable openings are made therein through which the bolt 12 passes, there being, by preference, a squared or keyed connection between one end of the boltv and the pedal frame, so thatthe bolt will turn with the frame, thereby causing the spring 11 to normally reta-in the `pedal in substantially horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1.

To limit the downward movement of the outer end of the pedal, suitablestops or hooks 9 are-formed, conveniently-from the metal of the side bars or frame 10, as shown in Fig. 5, ythe verticall sides of which are presented outwardly toward lthe outer end ofthe pedal frame. These hooks or stop members are normally `positioned directly in the rear of the flanged end part of the arms 13, and by virtue of the shape of the hook or stop member 9, the lianged part of the arms, when associated with the hook members, presently lto be described, serve to unite the hub and frame sides at the rear when the pedal is in service. By-this interlocking or hooking of the parts, the side frames of the pedal are prevented from spreading, thereby enabling the employment of relativelyflight metal or material for the sides of the frame, while maintaining the sides in their proper relative positions, when under pressure.

Mounted on the cylindrical .reducedvportion of theliub, is ayoke member 5having its rearpart of substantially circular for1nation andfitting closely the reduced cylindrical part, vbut having a longitudinal movement thereon. Extendingy from thepart 5 forward, are oppositely arrangedbranches y8, slidably mounted in grooves v8a in the largerpart of thehub portion. tTheouter ends of' the branches -8 have outstanding 'flange parts Sb, fashioned to y.engage the flange vparte 13d. The endso thebranches j are formed with yhookends 7, as shown in. Fig. 3. interposed betweenthe flange part of' theyoke and;the shoulder 440i' thehub, is a ,stiff spring 2, tensionedito normallyset thebase ofthe yoke tight against. the projectingflangeof ther spindle. .The hook ends 7 of the yoke extensions-8 arev designed, as above .stated,to.take inbehind;the stop fianges 9 on;the side bars ofthe frame, and are beveled at their` outer ends to engage back vofthe flanges 13L of thel ,-arm13. By this arrangement and combination, the hooks 7 `are interlocked witlrtlie hub, and are ysecured against ,spreading Ywhen. pressure is placed. on thepedal.

To maintain a?v horizontal tread surface; at

all times, and atlthe same timepresent an inclined forward side for defiecting purlposes when obstaclesare encountered, the oblique pivotaly connection between the frame .and the` hub isformed, and likewise `the-forward side bar of theframe isinclined slightly and is of less depth than the rear. side. bar. To permit the-inclination ofthe. side bars, asshown, it is necessary to incline the hooks 7 slightly, yas ,shown in F ig.` 6. Thiswill enable the hookstofengage back of the stop hooks 9 on the frame.

Itwill .be noted that the, interlocking. con- `nection between. the, yoke hooks andthe. side bars ofy the frame, through the. stops 9,1 lison :a plane above the -plane of the.-.point,ofpiv `loting the .frame to the hub, and: therefore,

any draw-ing action v.or pulling .onfthe frame above the pivot in the direction of theshank,

.will have atendency to. slightly elevate thel outer end of the frame, vas shown in vkdotted Llines, Fig. 1. yThe.,-springf after pressure is .takenfrom thepedal immediatelyforces the yoke toward the flange 6 of the spindle and presses the face of the yoke closely against the flange, thereby creating a frictional contact which will retain the pedal frame in the position in which it was left when the foot of the operator is removed and prevent spinning. By the backward movement of the yoke and consequent slight tilting of pedal frame,the latter will nor` mally be held in a position where it will be at an incline to the axis of the hub and readily flex or bend back when it encounters a resisting object. The spring 2 may be characterized as an element which performs two functions. First, the holding of the pedal against spinning by frictionally locking the same in its operative service position, and

second, giving to the pedal tilt. Y

It will also be noted that as the pedal swings up into the higher position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, the stops 9 leave the hook parts of the yoke, and upon returning a preliminary will drop back of the hooks for future:

service, the spring 11 causing the same to immediately assume such a position.

These features are important in structures of this type as the operator has at alltimes an assurance that when his foot is removed from thepedal, the pedal treads will be in a position for again receiving the foot, and when in that position will promptly iieX should the machine fall or should the pedals come in contact with bricks or stones, or the surface while the operator has removed his foot from the pedal. Pedals of this type are generally used on what is known as the coaster-brake type of machines, wherein the cranks are not turned by the forward movement of the machine.

In operation, the pedal is in position for service, and upon the `operator pressing thereon the same will assume the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1, the friction lock is released and the pedal is free to rotate without resistance. As soon as the operator removes his foot the pedal assumes an in clined position and is readily flexed upward when engaging any stationary object. When the pedal is releasedfrom the pressure tending to press it upward it will by virtue of the strength of spring 11 be forced downward into its normal slightly upwardly inclined position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. It can go no farther owing to the fact that the stops or projections 9 come in contact with the projections or hook points 7 and thus form stops. In this respect it should be noted that the pedal frame pivots from a point below the stops and is free to tilt upward carrying the hooks or stops 9 slightly back of the flanges or hooks 7. The operator when applying pressure to the pedal releases the friction hold. Damage to the pedal parts is thus prevented and at the same time the resisting spring 11 serves as a means for absorbing the shocks, preventing yinj ury to the machine or parts of the motor mechanism.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

1. In a cycle pedal and in combination with a crank arm, a pedal pivotally supported thereon, and means for locking the pedal against rotation when pressure isl removed therefrom.

2. In a cycle pedal, the combination with a crank arm, of a pedal rotatively mounted on the arm, and means acting automatically to lock the pedal against rotation on the arm when pressure is removed from the pedal.

3. In a cycle pedal, the combination with a crank, a'spindle and a hub, a pedal hinged to the hub, means for yieldingly maintainh ing the pedal in a lowered position, and means for locking the pedal against rotation when pressure is removed therefrom.

4. A pedal struct-ure comprising a hub member, a spindle member, a pivoted pedal part, and means for locking the pedal tothe spindle to prevent rotation when pressure is removed'from the pedal.

5. In a cycle pedal, the combination with a spindle part and a hub part, of a pedal hinged to the hub part, and means for normally locking the pedal against rotation on the spindle when pressure is removed from the pedal.

6. In a pedal for cycles, means adapting said pedal to fold upwardly when meeting obstacles, a spring for normally retaining the pedal in a lowered position, and means for locking the pedal against rotation when pressure is removed therefrom.

f Ina pedal for cycles, means adapting said pedal to fold upward when meeting ob structions, means for normally holding the pedal downward, and yielding means for limiting the downward movement of the pedal.

8. In a pedalfor cycles, means adapting said pedal to fold upward when meeting an obstruction, means for resisting the upward movement of the pedal, and a spring for normally tilting the pedal obliquely and for locking the same against rotary movement.

9. A hinged pedal adapted to fold up when colliding with an obstruction, means for normally yieldingly holding the pedal in lowered position, means for limiting the downward movement of the pedal, and yielding means for normally tilting the pedal when pressure is removed therefrom.

10. A hinged pedal adapted to fold up when colliding with an obstruction, means for normally yieldingly holding the pedal in lowered position, means for limiting the downward movement of the pedal, and

yielding means` for normallytilting the pedal when pressure is removed therefrom and `for locking thesame against rotation.

1l. In a cycle pedal, the combina-tion` with a hub, of a pedalihinged thereto, and means for normally -tiltingthe pedal lcomprising a yoke member arranged on the hnb, a spring for moving the yoke, and a part on the pedal. ,frame eforengaging said yoke.

l2. In a] pedal structure the combination with a hub, ofla pedal frame hinged thereto below the plane of the hub, and means engaging-the pedal `frame above the pivot pointfor normally tilting the pedal.

13. In a pedal construction, the combination with a. hub and, a spindle carrying the saine, of a.` pedali frame pivotally supported by the hub, a spring sleeved on v`the hub, and means operated by the spring for ylocking ,the pedal against rotation on ythe hub when pressure is removed from lthe pedal.

Ll. The combination with a hub `having arms on its outer end, of a yoke slidably `mounted ongthehub aiidiliayfiiig lhook shaped extensions engaging lthe arms. a sp1-ingl interposed `between ,the `hub and the yoke, a lpedal frame .pivotally supported on thehub, and means located above the plane ofy the pivot and engaged bythe yoke hooks `for tiltingthe pedal.

15 The combination with spindle, of a hub sleeved thereon,` a yoke on the hnb,a spring interposed'between `the yoke and the hub, a flange on the spindle, a pedal frame pivotally supported on the hub, landmeans onV the yoke for engaging `the pedal frame abovethe pivot point for limiting the downT ward movement of the .pedal frame on its pivot and for normally tltingthe pedal.

16. In a pedalstructure,7the combination withahub, of a pedal frame pivotally supported on the hubandfcomprising side bars of different widths, and an obliquely ar,- ranged pivot pin for uniting the `frame to the hub.

17. In a pedal structure, the combination with a hub having depending ears arranged on different horizontal planes, a pedal frame, an obliquely arranged `pivotmember uniting .the fra-meto the ear-aand means for resisting the downward movement of the pedal.v

1S. In a pedal structure, .the combination with a 4hub having outwardly projecting arms formedY with rearwardly extending flange parts, of a sliding yoke member having outwardly extending hook parts engaging the saidl flange parts of the arms, a spring interposedbetween the yoke and the hub, a pedal frame pivotallyk supported on the hubl and having offset hook stops arranged to be engaged by thehook parts of said yoke, and means for normally holding the pedal in loweredposition.

19.'.In a pedallstruoture, the combination with a hub part, of an open pedal frame pivotally supported' on the hub part, projections extending Ioutward from ythe :hub'and having hook parts, and overhanging stop projections onA the frame part with which the hookparts engage. n

, 20. In a folding pedalstrncture Ithe combination with va hub, of a pedal part hinged thereto for `upward deliection,a spring for normally .holding the pedalinl service.position, grips normally held iny ahorizontal plane and positioned on the uaper part of the pedal structure,lthe forwaril sideofthe pedal-structure .being of less width than the rear, for purposes specified.

2l. A pedalstructure comprising a frame having its side bars below the tread surface inclined forwardly, and means for supporting the pedalframe.

22. AY pedal construction comprising a frame having a .tread surface, the forward bar of the frame terminating at a point above the lower edge of the rear part of the frame, substantially as described.

Intestimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of ktWo witnesses.

FRANK D. WARREN.

Witnesses:

S.v J; WALKER'. J. ALFRED Rrl'rnm Jr.

.Cppes ov1 ',thi s ypatent may be obtained :for `firvece'nts each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents,

" .Washingtom ILC. f 

